How do Americans view Snowden?

The numbers
55% of the people polled think Snowden did the right thing
29% think Snowden was wrong
16% endorse neither statement

80% of Snowden supporters think the government violated the Costitution

51% of people polled say their employer has taken steps to secure employee info

82% of people think the government is still think corporate information is still being data mined

I thought this was an interesting look into the minds of citizens on this topic. However there are some issues with the survey. Most glaringly, they restricted the polling to "employed Americans." This excludes retirees. I have a hunch that this would skew the data.

Snowden did not do the right thing, because he broke the non-disclosure agreements that he signed every year.

He may have done what he thought was right, but what if every other American broke the law to do what they thought was the right thing to do?

But the government was, and still is doing bad things, so they are far from innocent.

I get sick of hearing Snowden whine about wanting to come home. Let him come home, I'm sure we can find a jail cell for him. Give him a fair trial, and then he will get what he deserves. If he gets off, let him go, if he's convicted, then let him suffer the consequences.

Snowden has only one person to blame for his predicament: himself. If he doesn't like it he should look in the mirror.

I haven't heard Snowden 'whine' once about not being able to come back home. He's just been honest when asked the question of if we would like to come back or not. Would you rather him lie? Or not be candid? Also, if Snowden did come back, he would not get the same 'fair' trial that you or I would for breaking a civil or criminal law of the land. He is being charged with theft under the 1917 Espionage Act. As far as I understand it, he will not be entitled to the same rights and fair trial that most would. It's akin to being treated like a terrorist or someone charged with treason.

Did you see the interview where Snowden indicated Russia was not as free in speech as he had imagined. He stated that some freedoms he was familiar with in America and how he was raised are not the same in Russia. What a dummy and now he wants to go to Brazil. He must have a direct line to that traveling Elf (Travelocity) and if he plays the world enough, he just might get to jet around the world enjoying himself. He has Snow'd us all.

jamesn Wrote: Snowden did not do the right thing, because he broke the non-disclosure agreements that he signed every year.

He may have done what he thought was right, but what if every other American broke the law to do what they thought was the right thing to do?

But the government was, and still is doing bad things, so they are far from innocent.

I get sick of hearing Snowden whine about wanting to come home. Let him come home, I'm sure we can find a jail cell for him. Give him a fair trial, and then he will get what he deserves. If he gets off, let him go, if he's convicted, then let him suffer the consequences.

Snowden has only one person to blame for his predicament: himself. If he doesn't like it he should look in the mirror.

I feel like you're not answering if he did the "right thing". Of course everyone knows he technically broke the law. But he was doing it for the greater good (I believe). Did he morally do the right thing? Is it wrong to tell on a friend who robbed a bank, even if you told him you wouldn't tell? Is it wrong to release documents convicting someone or group of their wrong doings? Even if you signed something restricting you from releasing them.

The question isn't: Do you think Snowden broke the law. The answer is apparent.

jamesn Wrote: Snowden did not do the right thing, because he broke the non-disclosure agreements that he signed every year.

He may have done what he thought was right, but what if every other American broke the law to do what they thought was the right thing to do?

But the government was, and still is doing bad things, so they are far from innocent.

I get sick of hearing Snowden whine about wanting to come home. Let him come home, I'm sure we can find a jail cell for him. Give him a fair trial, and then he will get what he deserves. If he gets off, let him go, if he's convicted, then let him suffer the consequences.

Snowden has only one person to blame for his predicament: himself. If he doesn't like it he should look in the mirror.

You are equating legal with right, but what is right is not always legal and what is wrong is not always illegal. Throughout U.S. history there are people breaking the law to to do what they think is right. Our country was founded on people breaking the law to do what they felt was right. Benedict Arnold betraying Washington because he thought it was right. Then you have slavery abolitionists with the underground railroad. Followed by the entire civil rights movement with sit-ins and protests. So yes, I hope everyone will do what they feel is right and not just what the law entails. Sometimes it works out well (America, Slavery, Civil Rights), sometimes it doesn't (Arnold). The worst possible thing in my mind is that we become a population of complacent automatons that that blindly follows any piece of legislation or anything our government says.

This is why I like Snowden. He didn't act on self interest. He didn't act to harm the country. He acted because he did what he thought was right. He acted because he believed what he was doing was truly helping the American citizens and upholding the Constitution. And I feel you have to respect a man for standing up for what he believes is right.

Saying "I would like to go home" is far from whining. He was asked the question and answered it just like he answered any other question. But his actions have consequences, and currently, those consequences mean that he can't step foot on American soil.

Zach glad you agree with me that ..."his actions have consequences"...

I say let him come back and face those consequences. Let him have a fair trial. The fact that he ran away shows that he knew he was wrong.

You say he didn't act act on self interest, but I'm not so sure. He is famous because of his actions. Maybe he had visions of book deals, movie rights, fame and fortune. All justified in his mind because he was convinced that he was "doing the right thing". Maybe it hasn't quite turned out the way he envisioned it.

What would America be like if everyone decided to ignore the law and do what they individually decide is the "right thing"?

Snowden is a hero to some and a villan to some, I say let him come back and face those consequences. Or stay over there and quit whining (my opinion only) about wanting to come back. What happens when Putin gets tired of him? Then what? Maybe we are holding 5 Russian spies we can exchange for him?